Academy Disqualifies Hans Zimmer’s Score for ‘Dune: Part Two’

Variety broke the news today that Hans Zimmer’s score for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two will not be eligible for this year’s Best Original Score category. Zimmer earned his second (only his second, if you can believe it) Oscar for his work for the first film, so many audiences were hoping that he would repeat with another nomination. Dune was nominated for 10 Oscars just 3 years ago, and the film walked away with 6 trophies. The legendary composer composed the music for Steve McQueen’s Blitz, so he’s not out of the race entirely.

Variety‘s Clayton Davis reminds us of the Academy’s ruling with sequels and franchises with the following:

“In cases such as sequels and franchises from any media, the score must not use more than 20% of pre-existing themes and music borrowed from previous scores in the franchise.”

With Zimmer’s work knocked out of the Best Original Score race, what takes its place? Netflix is really pushing for Emilia Pérez even though some pundits think that it’s just an Original Song play (musicals rarely get in for both). Alexandre Desplat for The Piano Lesson? Jon Batiste for Saturday Night?

As the news settles, we will be updating our predictions over at the Contending Consensus. Check back to see how we have shaken things up!